Prospect Watch
www.ontariohockeyleague.com has outlined Five more top prospects for this Saturday’s OHL Priority Selection
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1. Garrett Hooey, Centre, Clarington Toros Hooey is a smart, two-way forward that plays a responsible game. He plays a heads-up game and looks for opportunities to move the puck to a teammate that is in a better position to score. He competes on a regular basis and added a more aggressive element to his game as the season went on. “Garrett shows a really good understanding of the game,” Kitamura said. “He has good hockey sense and has the quickness to complement the way he thinks the game. While he plays a responsible game, he is at his best and is most noticeable when he has the puck on his stick.” 2. Alex Galchenyuk, Left Wing, Chicago Young AmericansGalchenyuk is one of the most skilled offensive players in the 1994 draft class. He was born in the U.S. and spent many of his development years in Russia where he developed high end offensive tools. He is an efficient skater and has a rare creative flair with the puck. “Alex puts up points in virtually every game he plays,” said Rob Kitamura, the OHL’s Director of Central Scouting. “He’s the type of player that seems to make something happen on every shift. He has a good stick and is at his best when he has possession of the puck. He has the ability to develop into a dominant player in the OHL.” 3. Brendan Gaunce, Centre, Markham Waxers
Gaunce demonstrates many of the same leadership traits as his older brother Cameron, the captain of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. He leads in the room and on the ice by example and was usually the best player on the ice. He has good physical tools and usually played a prominent role in his team’s success. “Brendan is the type of player that just plays the game the right way,” Kitamura said. “He plays a very effective, offensively productive but honest game and is willing to do whatever he has to help his team succeed. He has the potential to develop into a productive player at the next level.” 4. Matthew Murray, Goaltender, Thunder Bay Kings
Murray is one of the top rated goaltenders in this year’s OHL Priority Selection. He is a big (6’2″), traditional butterfly goalie with a strong technical game. He works hard to keep himself square to the puck, relying on his size and positioning to force shooters to really earn their goals. “Matthew utilizes all of the traditional butterfly style saves and shows good decision making skills in the crease,” Kitamura said. “He is very efficient in his movement and makes himself as big as possible when facing shots. He doesn’t give up many soft goals but also shows mental toughness when he needs to refocus.” 5. Scott Laughton, Centre, Toronto Marlboros
Laughton is a skilled two-way centre that demonstrates terrific hockey sense. He is the type of player that is always around the puck and makes things happen at both ends of the ice. He has a high skill level and carries the puck with composure. “Scott has the ability to hold the puck and almost wait things out until something happens,” Kitamura said. “He shows a real touch when he has possession, distributing the puck to create scoring chances or beating a defender one-on-one. He will develop into a player that helps in his own end while being very productive offensively.”
